Readings: レン (Onyomi), つら.なる, つら.ねる, つ.れる (Kunyomi)
Meaning: take along, lead, join, connect, link, party, group, company
The kanji 連 is formed from the radical 辶 (shinnyō), meaning “movement” or “road,” and the component 車 (sha), representing a “chariot” or “cart.” Historically, 車 in this context also implies being “linked” or “connected.” Thus, the kanji originally depicts a series of linked carts or people moving together, conveying the sense of “to connect,” “to join,” or “to accompany.”
View JLPT N3 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 連 is written with 10 strokes. It starts with the ‘shinnyō’ radical (辶) on the left, which is typically written last, after the right-side components. The components on the right are similar to 車 (chariot/car).
Kanji Details
| Radical | 辶 |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 10 |
| JLPT Level | N3 |
| Grade | S |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- レン (REN)
Kunyomi (Japanese readings)
- つらなる (tsura.naru)
- つらねる (tsura.neru)
- つれる (tsu.reru)
Common Words Using 連
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 連絡 | れんらく | contact, communication |
| 連休 | れんきゅう | consecutive holidays |
| 関連 | かんれん | relation, connection |
| 連続 | れんぞく | continuation, succession |
| 国連 | こくれん | United Nations |
| 連帯 | れんたい | solidarity, joint responsibility |
| 連邦 | れんぽう | federation, union |
| 連立 | れんりつ | coalition, alliance |
| 連名 | れんめい | joint signature, joint names |
| 連合 | れんごう | union, alliance, federation |
Kunyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 連なる | つらなる | to line up, to stand in a row, to be connected |
| 連ねる | つらねる | to line up, to join, to include (in a list) |
| 連れる | つれる | to take (someone), to lead, to accompany |
| 連れ出す | つれだす | to take out, to lead out |
| 連れて行く | つれていく | to take (someone) along |
| 連れて来る | つれてくる | to bring (someone) along |
| 連れ添う | つれそう | to live together (as a couple), to accompany |
| 連れ立つ | つれだつ | to go together, to leave together |
| 連れ戻す | つれもどす | to bring back, to take back |
| 連れ子 | つれご | stepchild (from a previous marriage) |
Example Sentences
Japanese: 緊急の際は、私に連絡してください。
Kana: きんきゅうのさいは、わたしにれんらくしてください。
Romaji: Kinkyū no sai wa, watashi ni renraku shite kudasai.
English: In case of emergency, please contact me.
Japanese: 来週はゴールデンウィークで四連休です。
Kana: らいしゅうはゴールデンウィークでよんれんきゅうです。
Romaji: Raishū wa Gōruden Wīku de yon renkyū desu.
English: Next week is Golden Week, so it’s a four-day holiday.
Japanese: 彼は友達をパーティーに連れてきました。
Kana: かれはともだちをパーティーにつれてきました。
Romaji: Kare wa tomodachi o pātī ni tsurete kimashita.
English: He brought his friend to the party.
Japanese: この問題は環境問題と深く関連しています。
Kana: このもんだいはかんきょうもんだいとふかくかんれんしています。
Romaji: Kono mondai wa kankyō mondai to fukaku kanren shite imasu.
English: This problem is deeply related to environmental issues.
Japanese: このテレビ番組は連続ドラマです。
Kana: このテレビばんぐみはれんぞくドラマです。
Romaji: Kono terebi bangumi wa renzoku dorama desu.
English: This TV program is a continuous drama series.
Japanese: 国連は世界の平和のために活動しています。
Kana: こくれんはせかいのへいわのためにかつどうしています。
Romaji: Kokuren wa sekai no heiwa no tame ni katsudō shite imasu.
English: The United Nations is active for world peace.
Japanese: メンバー全員が連帯責任を負います。
Kana: メンバーぜんいんがれんたいせきにんをおいます。
Romaji: Menbā zen’in ga rentai sekinin o oimasu.
English: All members bear joint responsibility.
Japanese: 山々が連なって、美しい景色を作っている。
Kana: やまやまがつらなって、うつくしいけしきをつくっている。
Romaji: Yamayama ga tsuranatte, utsukushii keshiki o tsukutte iru.
English: The mountains are lined up, creating a beautiful scenery.
Japanese: 多くの有名人がそのリストに名を連ねた。
Kana: おおくのゆうめいじんがそのリストになをつらねた。
Romaji: Ōku no yūmeijin ga sono risuto ni na o tsuraneta.
English: Many famous people listed their names on that list.
Japanese: 彼女はいつも犬を連れて散歩に行く。
Kana: かのじょはいつもいぬをつれてさんぽにいく。
Romaji: Kanojo wa itsumo inu o tsurete sanpo ni iku.
English: She always takes her dog for a walk.
Related Grammar & kanji list
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